The Negros Occidental provincial government confirmed on Thursday the three South Africans and one returning overseas Filipino (ROF), who arrived in the country from South Africa last week, all tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the three expatriates have not exhibited symptoms while undergoing quarantine.
“They are feeling well based on the feedback from the company (hosting them in the province),” he added.
The status of the ROF, who is from Pontevedra town but obtained a travel coordination permit from Bacolod City, is being monitored by the local government unit.
They are all required to complete the 14-day mandatory quarantine, following their arrival in the province on the last week of November.
The four arrived in the Philippines and proceeded to Negros Occidental even before South Africa was included in the “red list” countries starting Nov. 28 in a bid to prevent the entry of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
The three expatriates came to work as consultants of firm operating solar power plants in two areas in Negros Occidental.
Until Dec. 15, travelers from seven nations in Africa are temporarily prohibited from entering the country based on a directive from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
These include South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique, which are on the “red list” or areas considered as “high-risk” for Covid-19.
Source: Philippines News Agency